Exhaust gas cleaner

ABSTRACT

An exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, the low-density portion supporting a base metal catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst. The base metal catalyst may further contain at least one of rare earth elements. The exhaust gas cleaning method is conducted by using this cleaner with its low-density portion on the exhaust gas inlet or outlet side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaner and a method of cleaning an exhaust gas by using such an exhaust gas cleaner, and more particularly to an exhaust gas cleaner constituted by a foam-type filter carrying a catalyst and a method of cleaning an exhaust gas by this exhaust gas cleaner.

Recently, nitrogen oxides simply called NO_(x) and fine carbonaceous particles (hereinafter referred to as "particulate matter") contained in exhaust gases of diesel engines, etc. are causing environmental problems. In particular, the particulate matter is likely to float in the air and be inhaled by breathing. Accordingly, the reduction of the particulate matter has been strongly desired, and various proposals have been made for trapping and burning the particulate matter by heat-resistant filters, and for regenerating filters by burning the particulate matter at a low temperature by using heat-resistant filters provided with catalysts, etc. Particularly in the latter case, the filters can be regenerated at a low temperature in a short period of time, meaning that it is an excellent method when the heat resistance of the filters is taken into consideration.

The exhaust gases of the diesel engines have much lower temperature and larger oxygen concentration than those of gasoline engines. The oxygen concentration is variable in the range of 2-20%. In addition, since a diesel oil is used as a fuel in diesel engines, the exhaust gases contain a large amount of SO₂. Nevertheless, there has been no established method of effectively igniting and burning fine carbon particles accumulated under these exhaust gas conditions without causing secondary pollution.

For instance, when precious metal catalysts are supported on filters, the ignition temperature of particulate matter can be lowered, and the removal of the remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO can be achieved, but there are problems such as the deterioration of catalyst activities by ashes. On the other hand, when base metal catalysts are used, the ignition temperature of particulate matter can be effectively lowered without forming much SO₃. However, such catalysts are not effective for removing CO.

Besides, the catalysts currently used in the industry mainly function to lower the ignition temperature of particulate matter, leaving unsolved the problems of removing nitrogen oxides from exhaust gases of diesel engines containing a large concentration of oxygen. Accordingly, investigation has been conducted to remove nitrogen oxides and particulate matter simultaneously, but conventional catalysts fail to sufficiently remove the other harmful components such as CO and remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons together with nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Next, with respect to filter structure per se, there are two types of filters, a ceramic honeycomb filter and a ceramic foam filter. The honeycomb filter is efficient in trapping particulate matter, but it suffers not only from the decrease in catalytic activity by the accumulation of ashes generated by burning lubricating oils, but also from cracking and fusion by spot heating at the time of igniting particulate matter. In addition, since catalyst is mainly supported on inner walls of filter pores, the area of the catalyst-carrying surface is relatively small, resulting in insufficient catalytic activity.

On the other hand, the ceramic foam filter has a large surface area for carrying catalysts, but it is insufficient in trapping particulate matter. Therefore, it has been desired to provide the ceramic foam filter with catalysts having high exhaust gas-cleaning efficiency.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas cleaner capable of not only effectively burning particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas having a relatively large oxygen concentration such as those of diesel engines but also effectively removing the remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO by reaction with the remaining oxygen while suppressing the formation of SO₃.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas cleaner capable of removing particulate matter and nitrogen oxides simultaneously and also capable of removing the other harmful components: remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of cleaning an exhaust gas by using the above exhaust gas cleaners.

As a result of intense research in view of the above objects, the inventors have found that particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and CO can be efficiently removed by using a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter constituted by two layers having different densities provided with a base metal catalyst capable of burning particulate matter and a platinum-group element catalyst capable of increasing the burning efficiency of particulate matter and removing unburned hydrocarbons and CO. Further, the inventors have found that by using base metal catalysts having particular compositions, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides can be removed simultaneously, and that the remaining hydrocarbons and CO can be removed by platinum-group element catalysts. The present invention is based on these findings.

Thus, the first exhaust gas cleaner according to the present invention has a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst.

The second exhaust gas cleaner according to the present invention has a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of elements in IIA group of the Periodic Table, transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and (c) at least one of rare earth elements; and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst.

The third exhaust gas cleaner according to the present invention has a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, wherein the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, a catalyst consisting essentially of Cs, Cu and at least one of Ce and La being supported by the overall body of the filter.

The first method of cleaning an exhaust gas according to the present invention uses an exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst, wherein the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, and the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, so that particulate matter in the exhaust gas is burned or ignited at a low temperature in the low-density portion, and unburned hydrocarbons and CO in the exhaust gas are caused to react with remaining oxygen in the high-density, thin layer portion, thereby cleaning the exhaust gas.

The second method of cleaning an exhaust gas according to the present invention uses an exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst, wherein the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, and the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, so that particulate matter in the exhaust gas is burned or ignited at a low temperature and unburned hydrocarbons and CO in the exhaust gas are oxidized in the high-density, thin layer portion, and that particulate matter passing through the high-density, thin layer portion is burned in the low-density portion, thereby cleaning the exhaust gas.

The third method of cleaning an exhaust gas according to the present invention uses an exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low-density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of elements in IIA group of the Periodic Table, transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and (c) at least one of rare earth elements; and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst, wherein the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, and the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, so that particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and CO in the exhaust gas are removed by oxidation in the high-density, thin layer portion, and NO_(x) is reduced by the remaining hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the low-density portion, thereby cleaning the exhaust gas.

The fourth method of cleaning an exhaust gas according to the present invention uses an exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low-density portion, the low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of elements in IIA group of the Periodic Table, transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and (c) at least one of rare earth elements; and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst; and the high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst, wherein the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, and the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, so that particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and CO in the exhaust gas are removed by oxidation in the high-density, thin layer portion, and NO_(x) is reduced by the remaining particulate matter and hydrocarbons in the low-density portion, thereby cleaning the exhaust gas.

The fifth method of cleaning an exhaust gas according to the present invention uses an exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter as a carrier, the filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of the low-density portion, the filter supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of Cs, Cu and at least one of Ce and La, wherein the low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, and the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, so that particulate matter in the exhaust gas is burned or ignited at a low temperature while reducing NO_(x) by the remaining particulate matter and hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The base metal catalyst for removing particulate matter in the first exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention is composed of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn. The transition elements are preferably those in IB, IIB, VA (V, Nb, Ta), VIA (Cr, Mo, W), VIIA (Mn, Re) and VIII (Fe, Co, Ni) groups of the Periodic Table. This base metal catalyst serves to increase the burning rate of particulate matter and to lower the ignition temperature of particulate matter. A combination of the components (a) and (b) is effective to increase the catalytic activity.

Further, to accelerate the reduction of nitrogen oxides at a relatively low temperature by burning or igniting remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and particulate matter, the base metal catalyst for removing particulate matter in the second exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention is composed of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of IIA elements of the Periodic Table, transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and (c) at least one of rare earth elements. In the presence of this base metal catalyst, nitrogen oxides can effectively be reduced by remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and particulate matter functioning as reducing agents even at a relatively low temperature. This can be achieved by a synergistic effect provided by particulate matter existing together with the alkali metal elements, the transition elements and the rare earth elements.

The alkali metal elements are preferably K, Na and Cs.

Incidentally, in the above base metal catalysts, alkali metal elements, IIA elements, transition elements, Sn and rare earth elements exist as their oxides.

The preferred base metal catalyst used in the second exhaust gas cleaner is composed of Cs (alkali metal element), Cu (IB element) and at least one of Ce and La (rare earth elements). This base metal catalyst may further contain Ag (IB element). This base metal catalyst is highly effective to lower the ignition temperature of particulate matter.

In the third exhaust gas cleaner, the catalyst composed of Cs (alkali metal element), Cu (IB element) and at least one of Ce and La (rare earth elements) is supported by the overall body of the filter.

On the other hand, as catalysts for removing unburned hydrocarbons and CO and for burning the remaining particulate matter, those containing platinum-group elements having high oxidation activity are used. The preferred examples of such catalysts include Pt catalysts, Pd catalysts, mixtures of Pt catalysts and Pd catalysts, mixtures of Pt catalysts, Pd catalysts and Rh catalysts. These platinum-group element catalysts may further contain Au or Ag.

In the present invention, the above two types of catalysts are separately supported by two portions of the filter; a low-density portion and a high-density, thin layer portion. In the first embodiment, the low-density portion is located on the inlet side while the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the outlet side. In the second embodiment, the low-density portion and the high-density, thin layer portion are located oppositely. Namely, the high-density, thin layer portion is located on the inlet side while the low-density portion is located on the outlet side.

In the first and third methods, the base metal catalyst for removing particulate matter is supported by a filter portion having a relatively low density on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, while the platinum-group element catalyst for removing remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO is supported by a high-density, thin layer portion on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter.

In the second and fourth methods, the platinum-group element catalyst is supported by a high-density, thin layer portion on the exhaust gas inlet side of the filter, while the base metal catalyst is supported by a low-density portion on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter.

By the filter arrangement used in the first and third methods, extremely high capacity for cleaning the exhaust gas can be achieved by the following features:

(1) Since the filter has a low-density portion on the exhaust gas inlet side, particulate matter easily goes into fine pores of the filter.

(2) Since the exhaust gas is brought into good contact with the catalysts supported in the fine pores of the filter, particulate matter is efficiently burned or ignited on the surfaces of the catalysts on the exhaust gas inlet side.

(3) Even when back pressure is increased, particulate matter is not blown off.

(4) Since the exhaust gas is efficiently cleaned for the above reason (2), drastic pressure drop does not take place.

In addition to the above advantages, there are the following advantages:

(5) Since a considerable amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas is consumed in the inlet portion of the filter, the concentration of the remaining oxygen is relatively low on the surface of the high-density, thin layer portion on the outlet side, but CO and remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons are effectively removed.

(6) Since the platinum-group element catalyst is supported in the high-density, thin layer portion on the exhaust gas outlet side, the generation of SO₃ can be suppressed.

(7) Since the exhaust gas comes into contact with the platinum-group element catalyst after burning particulate matter, it is not likely that the catalytic activity of the platinum-group element catalyst is lowered by the resulting ashes.

(8) Since the high-density, thin layer portion is disposed on the exhaust gas outlet side of the filter, the exhaust gas flowing through the filter undergoes proper resistance by this high-density, thin layer portion. Accordingly, efficient cleaning of the exhaust gas can be achieved even though the low-density portion in which particulate matter is removed is relatively thin.

The filter arrangement used in the second and fourth methods has the following features:

(1) Since the filter has a high-density, thin layer portion on the exhaust gas inlet side, particulate matter is effectively trapped in the inlet portion of the filter.

(2) Since the exhaust gas is brought into good contact with the catalysts supported in the high-density, thin layer portion on the inlet side, remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO are oxidized and particulate matter is efficiently burned or ignited on the surfaces of the catalysts on the exhaust gas inlet side.

(3) Even when back pressure is increased, particulate matter is not blown off. And particulate matter passing through the high-density, thin layer portion goes into fine pores of the filter on the outlet side, where the particulate matter is efficiently burned.

(4) Since the exhaust gas is efficiently cleaned for the above reason (2), drastic pressure drop does not take place.

(5) The platinum-group element catalyst supported in the high-density, thin layer portion on the exhaust gas inlet side serves preferentially to oxidize remaining (unburned) hydrocarbons and CO, while suppressing the generation of SO₃.

The heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter is required to have necessary particulate matter-capturing capacity while causing pressure drop within the permitted range. It is thus preferably constituted by a ceramic foam usually used as a catalyst carrier, such as alumina, silica, zirconia, silica-alumina, alumina-zirconia, alumina-titania, silica-titania, silica-zirconia, titania-zirconia, mullite, cordierite, etc.

The high-density, thin layer portion can be formed on one side of the heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter by the following methods:

(a) A slurry of a ceramic foam material such as cordierite is poured into a mold having a desired shape whose bottom surface is coated with a parting agent comprising glycerin, water and a surfactant, and the resulting molded product is removed from the mold, dried and then sintered.

(b) A uniform ceramic filter is first formed, and one surface of the filter is coated with a mixture of ceramic powder such as cordierite and an organic binder. The resulting composite filter is dried and then sintered.

The heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter thus formed preferably has a high-density, thin layer portion having a porosity of 40-70% and a pore size of 3-80 μm (average: about 20-30 μm). To prevent the accumulation of ashes, the pore size is preferably 30 μm or more. The high-density, thin layer portion per se has a thickness of 5-2000 μm, preferably 10-50 μm.

To increase the ignition characteristics of particulate matter and to reduce pressure drop, the overall filter is preferably made thin. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the filter is 50-400 μm, while the length of the filter is 5-30 mm. Depending upon displacements of diesel engines used, a plurality of filters may be stacked.

The impregnation of the heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter with the particulate matter-removing catalyst may be conducted by a known method in which the heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter is immersed in a solution of carbonate, nitrate, acetate, hydroxide of such catalyst material. Alternatively, it may be conducted by immersing the filter in a solution containing a plurality of base metal compounds such as alkali ferrocyanide to make the filter carry the base metal catalyst.

The impregnation of the high-density, thin layer portion of the filter with the platinum-group element catalyst can be conducted by immersing only the high-density, thin layer portion of the filter in a solution of platinum-group element chloride, etc.

To increase the catalyst-supporting area of the filter, it is desirable that the heat-resistant, porous foam-type filter supports the catalysts via porous carrier powder having a large surface area such as alumina powder, silica powder, titania powder, etc. Particularly, since the high-density, thin layer portion has a relatively small thickness, it is desirable to carry the catalyst in a high concentration. For this purpose, titania powder, alumina powder, etc. are desirable. For instance, the high-density, thin layer portion is first coated with porous titania carrier powder having a large surface area such as titania powder, titania-alumina powder, titania-silica powder, etc. and then impregnated with an aqueous solution of chloride of Pt, Pd, Rh, Au, etc. by immersion.

Further, by conducting light irradiation to the filter impregnated with an aqueous solution of precious metal compounds such as chlorides of Pt, Pd, Rh, Au, etc., catalyst-carrying efficiency is extremely increased. Alternatively, it is possible to have the titania carrier powder support the platinum-group element catalyst by light irradiation and then to coat the catalyst-supporting titania carrier powder on the filter. By this light irradiation method, the catalyst can be supported by the titania carrier powder in high dispersion, and the coating layer of the filter can be made thin, whereby pressure drop can be minimized in the high-density, thin layer portion.

The present invention will be explained in further detail by the following examples. Incidentally, the amount of each base metal oxide contained in base metal catalysts is expressed as a weight of a base metal element itself in examples.

EXAMPLE 1

A ceramic foam filter made of cordierite having an apparent volume of 2 l and a density of 0.65 g/ml was formed on one side with a high-density, thin layer portion having a density of 2.2 g/ml by the above method (a).

A filter portion excluding this high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder (average particle size: 0.4 μm) in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and the γ-alumina powder was impregnated with 2.5 weight % of potassium by using potassium carbonate and then 2.5 weight % of Cr by using CrCl₃. The high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion and then impregnated with 0.2 weight %, based on the γ-alumina, of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution.

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 1).

With its low-density portion on the inlet side and with its high-density, thin layer portion on the outlet side, this exhaust gas cleaner was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter (expressed by temperature at which pressure drop decreases) and exhaust gas cleaning capacity by using a single-cylinder diesel engine having a displacement of 510 cc. The diesel engine was operated at 1500 rpm under a load of 90%. Under these conditions, CO was about 460 ppm and oxygen concentration was 5% in the exhaust gas. The ignition temperature, the particulate matter-removing efficiency and the CO conversion ratio of the exhaust gas cleaner are shown in Tables 1-3, respectively.

EXAMPLES 2-4

In the same manner as in Example 1, each of three ceramic foam filters was prepared and coated with γ-alumina, and a filter portion excluding a high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Na by using sodium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of Cu by using CuCl₂ (Example 2); with 2.5 weight % of K by using potassium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of Mn by using MnCl₂ (Example 3); or with 2.5 weight % of K by using potassium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of V by using NH₄ VO₃ (Example 4). Next, a high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt. Thus, the following exhaust gas cleaners were produced:

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 2),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 3), and

(Al₂ O₃ /K/V--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 4).

EXAMPLES 5-8

Each of four ceramic foam filters was coated in a filter portion excluding a high-density, thin layer portion with γ-alumina and impregnated with the same catalyst as in Examples 1-4 in the same manner as above. Next, the high-density, thin layer portion of each filter was coated with TiO₂ powder (average particle size: 0.02 μm) instead of Al₂ O₃ powder in an amount of 1 weight % based on the high-density, thin layer portion, and then immersed in an H₂ PtCl₆ and/or PdCl₂ aqueous solution and subjected to light irradiation by using a 500-W Hg lamp. Thus, each high-density, thin layer portion was impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt and/or Pd. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 5),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 6),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 7), and

(Al₂ O₃ /K/V--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 8).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 2-8 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 1. In each exhaust gas cleaner, the ignition temperature (Examples 1-4), the particulate matter-removing efficiency at 300° C. (Examples 1, 2, 5), and the CO conversion ratio at 400° C. (Examples 1-8) are shown in Tables 1-3, respectively.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1-4

For comparison, the following four exhaust gas cleaners were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 with respect to ignition temperature, particulate matter-removing efficiency and CO conversion ratio. The results are shown in Tables 1-3.

Comparative Example 1: Filter carrying no catalyst;

Comparative Example 2: Filter carrying the same base metal catalyst as in Example 1 but having no high-density, thin layer portion;

Comparative Example 3: Filter constituted by a high-density, thin layer portion carrying no platinum-group element catalyst and a low-density portion having a catalyst of Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr for trapping particulate matter.

Comparative Example 4: Filter constituted by a high-density, thin layer portion carrying no platinum-group element catalyst and a low-density portion having a catalyst of Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu for trapping matter.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         No.           Ignition Temp. (°C.)                                      ______________________________________                                         Example 1     375                                                              Example 2     390                                                              Example 3     380                                                              Example 4     385                                                              Comparative   600                                                              Example 1                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                      CO Trapping Efficiency                                            No.          at 300° C. (%)                                             ______________________________________                                         Example 1    85                                                                Example 2    87                                                                Example 5    82                                                                Comparative  50                                                                Example 2                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Concentration of CO                                                No.           at Inlet (ppm)                                                                            at Outlet (ppm)                                       ______________________________________                                         Example 1     460        312                                                   Example 2     458        320                                                   Example 3     463        315                                                   Example 4     460        310                                                   Example 5     458        290                                                   Example 6     460        295                                                   Example 7     450        270                                                   Example 8     460        290                                                   Comparative   456        470                                                   Example 3                                                                      Comparative   462        478                                                   Example 4                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 1-4 showed ignition temperatures lower than 400° C., meaning high-particulate matter-trapping capacity. With respect to the particulate matter-trapping efficiency at 300° C., those filters provided with high-density, thin layer portions showed 80% or more, while those having no high-density, thin layer portions showed only 50%. With respect to the removal of CO, the exhaust gas cleaners having no platinum-group element supported in the thin layer portions showed substantially no CO-removing capacity, and rather showed a tendency of increasing CO. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaners carrying platinum-group elements showed a CO-removing capacity of 30% or more, and particularly in the case of exhaust gas cleaners carrying platinum-group elements deposited by light irradiation showed a CO-removing capacity of 35% or more. In addition, when these exhaust gas cleaners were used, substantially no SO₃ was generated.

EXAMPLE 9

A ceramic foam filter having a low-density portion and a high-density, thin layer portion each carrying the following catalyst was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 9).

With its high-density, thin layer portion on the inlet side and with its low-density portion on the outlet side, this exhaust gas cleaner was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 1. The ignition temperature, the particulate matter-trapping efficiency and the CO conversion ratio of the exhaust gas cleaner are shown in Tables 4-6, respectively.

EXAMPLES 10-12

In the same manner as in Example 9, each of three ceramic foam filters was prepared and coated with γ-alumina, and a filter portion excluding a high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Na by using sodium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of Cu by using CuCl₂ (Example 10); with 2.5 weight % of K by using potassium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of Mn by using MnCl₂ (Example 11); or with 2.5 weight % of K by using potassium carbonate and 2.5 weight % of V by using NH₄ VO₃ (Example 12). Next, a high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt. Thus, the following exhaust gas cleaners were produced:

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 10),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 11), and

(Al₂ O₃ /K/V--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 12).

EXAMPLES 13-16

Each of four ceramic foam filters was coated with γ-alumina in a filter portion excluding a high-density, thin layer portion and impregnated with the same catalyst as in Examples 9-12 in the same manner as above. Next, the high-density, thin layer portion of each filter was coated with TiO₂ powder (average particle size: 0.02 μm) instead of Al₂ O₃ powder in an amount of 1 weight % based on the high-density, thin layer portion, and then immersed in an H₂ PtCl₆ and/or PdCl₂ aqueous solution and subjected to light irradiation by using a 500-W Hg lamp. Thus, each high-density, thin layer portion was impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt and/or Pd. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 13),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 14),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 15), and

(Al₂ O₃ /K/V--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 16).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 10-16 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 9. In each exhaust gas cleaner, the ignition temperature (Examples 9-12), the particulate matter-trapping efficiency at 300° C. (Examples 9, 10, 13), and the CO conversion ratio at 400° C. (Examples 9-16) are shown in Tables 4-6, respectively.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 5-8

For comparison, the following four exhaust gas cleaners were evaluated with their high-density, thin layer portion on the inlet side, with respect to ignition temperature, particulate matter-trapping efficiency and CO conversion ratio. The results are shown in Tables 4-6.

Comparative Example 5: Filter carrying no catalyst;

Comparative Example 6: Filter carrying the same base metal catalyst as in Example 9 but having no high-density, thin layer portion;

Comparative Example 7: Filter constituted by a high-density, thin layer portion carrying no platinum-group element catalyst and a low-density portion having a catalyst of Al₂ O₃ /K/Cr for trapping particulate matter.

Comparative Example 8: Filter constituted by a high-density, thin layer portion carrying no platinum-group element catalyst and a low-density portion having a catalyst of

Al₂ O₃ /Na/Cu for removing particulate matter.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         No.           Ignition Temp. (°C.)                                      ______________________________________                                         Example 9     340                                                              Example 10    360                                                              Example 11    350                                                              Example 12    360                                                              Comparative   600                                                              Example 5                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                      CO Trapping Efficiency                                            No.          at 300° C. (%)                                             ______________________________________                                         Example 9    90                                                                Example 10   92                                                                Example 13   88                                                                Comparative  50                                                                Example 6                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Concentration of CO                                                No.           at Inlet (ppm)                                                                            at Outlet (ppm)                                       ______________________________________                                         Example 9     460        260                                                   Example 10    458        270                                                   Example 11    463        265                                                   Example 12    460        260                                                   Example 13    458        240                                                   Example 14    460        250                                                   Example 15    450        220                                                   Example 16    460        240                                                   Comparative   456        470                                                   Example 7                                                                      Comparative   462        478                                                   Example 8                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 9-12 showed ignition temperatures lower than 400° C., meaning high-particulate matter-trapping capacity. With respect to the particulate matter-trapping efficiency at 300° C., those filters provided with high-density, thin layer portions showed 80% or more, while those having no high-density, thin layer portions showed only 50%. With respect to the removal of CO, the exhaust gas cleaners having no platinum-group element supported in the thin layer portions showed substantially no CO-removing capacity, and rather showed a tendency of increasing CO. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaners carrying platinum-group elements showed a CO-removing capacity of 40% or more, and particularly in the case of exhaust gas cleaners carrying platinum-group elements deposited by light irradiation showed a CO-removing capacity of 45% or more. In addition, when these exhaust gas cleaners were used, substantially no SO₃ was generated.

EXAMPLE 17

The same ceramic foam filter as in Example 1 was formed, and its high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder (average particle size: 0.4 μm) in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion and then impregnated with 0.2 weight %, based on the γ-alumina, of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution.

A filter portion excluding this high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and the γ-alumina powder was impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and then 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution.

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/K-Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 17).

With its low-density portion on the inlet side and with its high-density, thin layer portion on the outlet side, this exhaust gas cleaner was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 1.

The ignition temperature of particulate matter is shown in Table 7, and the variation in concentration of CO and NO_(x) and the hydrocarbon (HC) conversion ratio are shown in Table 8.

EXAMPLES 18-21

In the same manner as in Example 17, each of four ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion, and then impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Fe by using an Fe(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of La by using an LaCl₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Na by using an Na₂ CO₃ aqueous solution, and 1 weight % of Zn by using a Zn(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution (Example 18); with 2.5 weight % of Mg by using an MgCl₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 19); with 2.5 weight % of Co by using a Co(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of Na by using an Na₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 20); or with 2.5 weight % of Mn by using an MnCl₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 21). Thus, the following exhaust gas cleaners were produced:

(Al₂ O₃ /Fe/La/Na/Zn--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 18),

(Al₂ O₃ /Mg/Ce/K--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 19),

(Al₂ O₃ /Co/Ce/Na--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 20), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Mn/Ce/K--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 21).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 18-21 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 17. The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

EXAMPLES 22-28

In the same manner as in Example 17, each of seven ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion and then coated with TiO₂ powder (average particle size: 0.02 μm) in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with one or more of 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution, 0.2 weight % of Pd by using a PdCl₂ aqueous solution, and 0.01 weight % of Rh by using an RhCl₃ aqueous solution, and then subjected to light irradiation using a 500-W Hg lamp.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with each aqueous solution of various base metal compounds. Incidentally, the impregnation of Cs and Ag was conducted by using an aqueous solution of CsNO₃ and AgNO₃, respectively. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cu/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 22),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Fe/Zn/La--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 23),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mg/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Rh: Example 24),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Co/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 25),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 26),

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 27), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs/Ag--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 28).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 22-28 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 17. The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

EXAMPLES 29-31

In the same manner as in Example 17, each of three ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with TiO₂ powder in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion and then impregnated with one or more of 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution, 0.2 weight % of Pd by using a PdCl₂ aqueous solution, and 0.01 weight % of Rh by using an RhCl₃ aqueous solution, and subjected to light irradiation using a 500-W Hg lamp.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with TiO₂ powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with each aqueous solution of various base metal compounds. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 29),

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 30), and

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs/Ag--TiO₂ /Pt/Rh: Example 31).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 29-31 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 17. The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 9 AND 10

For comparison, the same ceramic foam filters each having a high-density, thin layer portion and a low-density portion were produced in the same manner as in Example 17, and a low-density portion of each filter was provided with a catalyst in the same manner as in Example 17. However, no platinum-group element catalyst was supported by the high-density, thin layer portion. The resulting filters are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cu/Ce: Comparative Example 9), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Fe/La: Comparative Example 10).

They were evaluated with respect to variation in concentration of CO and NO_(x), and HC conversion ratio. The results are shown in Table 8.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         No.           Ignition Temp. (°C.)                                      ______________________________________                                         Example 17    405                                                              Example 18    405                                                              Example 19    430                                                              Example 20    405                                                              Example 21    380                                                              Example 22    400                                                              Example 23    400                                                              Example 24    410                                                              Example 25    400                                                              Example 26    370                                                              Example 27    260                                                              Example 28    249                                                              Example 29    255                                                              Example 30    251                                                              Example 31    240                                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Exhaust Gas Concentration                                                      at 360° C. (ppm)                                                                                       HC                                                     CO         NO.sub.x     Conversion                                      No.      at Inlet                                                                               at Outlet                                                                               at Inlet                                                                             at Outlet                                                                             Rate (%)                                ______________________________________                                         Example 17                                                                              460     310      479   355    75                                      Example 18                                                                              465     315      480   360    73                                      Example 19                                                                              463     314      475   358    72                                      Example 20                                                                              458     310      485   368    75                                      Example 21                                                                              462     315      480   365    78                                      Example 22                                                                              460     293      482   353    80                                      Example 23                                                                              462     290      475   355    75                                      Example 24                                                                              463     285      479   353    80                                      Example 25                                                                              463     290      482   360    80                                      Example 26                                                                              462     300      485   360    85                                      Example 27                                                                              460     300      480   350    80                                      Example 28                                                                              460     300      480   360    80                                      Example 29                                                                              465     310      480   355    75                                      Example 30                                                                              460     310      475   350    78                                      Example 31                                                                              462     310      482   348    85                                      Comparative                                                                             463     465      483   390    70                                      Example 9                                                                      Comparative                                                                             464     466      481   395    70                                      Example 10                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Each of the exhaust gas cleaners in Examples 17-31 showed a low ignition temperature of particulate matter, and those cleaners of Examples 27-31 having catalysts containing combinations of Cs, Cu, Ce, La and Ag have remarkably low ignition temperatures. In addition, at 360° C., the concentration of CO was reduced by about 35%, and the concentration of NO_(x) was reduced by about 25%, showing that particulate matter, CO and NO_(x) were simultaneously removed. Further, the conversion rate of the remaining hydrocarbons was also high.

With respect to the removal of CO, the exhaust gas cleaners having no platinum-group element supported in the thin layer portions (Comparative Examples 9 and 10) showed substantially no CO-removing capacity. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaners having platinum-group elements supported on the high-density, thin layer portion showed a high CO-removing capacity. In addition, when these exhaust gas cleaners were used, substantially no SO₃ was generated.

Further, when the exhaust gas cleaners have the platinum-group elements deposited on the high-density, thin layer portion by light irradiation, the HC conversion rate became somewhat higher than those having platinum-group elements deposited by other methods (HC conversion rate was 72-78% in Examples 17-21, and 75-85% in Examples 22-31).

EXAMPLE 32

The same ceramic foam filter as in Example 1 was formed, and its high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder (average particle size: 0.4 μm) in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion and then impregnated with 0.2 weight %, based on the γ-alumina, of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution.

A filter portion excluding this high-density, thin layer portion was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam, and the γ-alumina powder was impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution.

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/K--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 32).

With its high-density, thin layer portion on the inlet side and with its low-density portion on the outlet side, this exhaust gas cleaner was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 1. Incidentally, the concentrations of hydrocarbons (HC), CO, NO_(x) and O₂ were 85 ppm (as total HC), 460 ppm, 480 ppm and 5%, respectively.

The ignition temperature of particulate matter is shown in Table 9, and the variation in concentration of CO and NO_(x) and the hydrocarbon (HC) conversion ratio are shown in Table 10.

EXAMPLES 33-36

In the same manner as in Example 32, each of four ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion, and then impregnated with 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with 2.5 weight % of Fe by using an Fe(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of La by using an LaCl₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Na by using an Na₂ CO₃ aqueous solution, and 1 weight % of Zn by using a Zn(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution (Example 33); with 2.5 weight % of Mg by using an MgCl₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 34); with 2.5 weight % of Co by using a Co(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of Na by using an Na₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 35); or with 2.5 weight % of Mn by using an MnCl₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of K by using a K₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 36). Thus, the following exhaust gas cleaners were produced:

(Al₂ O₃ /Fe/La/Na/Zn--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 33),

(Al₂ O₃ /Mg/Ce/K--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 34),

(Al₂ O₃ /Co/Ce/Na--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 35), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Mn/Ce/K--Al₂ O₃ /Pt: Example 36).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 33-36 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 32. The results are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

EXAMPLES 37-43

In the same manner as in Example 32, each of five ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion and then coated with TiO₂ powder (average particle size: 0.02 μm) in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was impregnated with one or more of 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution, 0.2 weight % of Pd by using a PdCl₂ aqueous solution, and 0.01 weight % of Rh by using an RhCl₃ aqueous solution, and then subjected to light irradiation using a 500-W Hg lamp.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with each aqueous solution of various base metal compounds. Incidentally, the impregnation of Cs and Ag was conducted by using an aqueous solution of CsNO₃ and AgNO₃, respectively. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cu/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 37),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Fe/Zn/La--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 38),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mg/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Rh: Example 39),

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Co/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 40),

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Mn/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 41),

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 42), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs/Ag--TiO₂ /Pd: Example 43).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 37-43 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 32. The results are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

EXAMPLES 44-46

In the same manner as in Example 32, each of three ceramic foam filters was formed with a high-density, thin layer portion, and the high-density thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with TiO₂ powder in an amount of 1 weight % based on the thin layer portion and then impregnated with one or more of 0.2 weight % of Pt by using an H₂ PtCl₆ aqueous solution, 0.2 weight % of Pd by using a PdCl₂ aqueous solution, and 0.01 weight % of Rh by using an RhCl₃ aqueous solution, and subjected to light irradiation using a 500-W Hg lamp.

A filter portion excluding the high-density, thin layer portion of each ceramic foam filter was coated with TiO₂ powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with each aqueous solution of various base metal compounds. The resulting exhaust gas cleaners are as follows:

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs--TiO₂ /Pt: Example 44),

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs/Ce--TiO₂ /Pt/Pd: Example 45), and

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs/Ag--TiO₂ /Pt/Rh: Example 46).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 44-46 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 32. The results are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 11 AND 12

For comparison, the same ceramic foam filters each having a high-density, thin layer portion and a low-density portion were produced, and a low-density portion of each filter was provided with a catalyst as in ia Example 32. However, no platinum-group element catalyst was supported by the high-density, thin layer portion. The resulting filters are as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /K/Cu/Ce: Comparative Example 11), and

(Al₂ O₃ /Na/Fe/La: Comparative Example 12).

They were evaluated with respect to variation in concentration of CO and NO_(x), and hydrocarbon (HC) conversion ratio at 360° C. The results are shown in Table 10.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         No.           Ignition Temp. (°C.)                                      ______________________________________                                         Example 32    370                                                              Example 33    370                                                              Example 34    400                                                              Example 35    370                                                              Example 36    350                                                              Example 37    370                                                              Example 38    370                                                              Example 39    380                                                              Example 40    370                                                              Example 41    340                                                              Example 42    255                                                              Example 43    243                                                              Example 44    250                                                              Example 45    245                                                              Example 46    240                                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Exhaust Gas Concentration                                                      at 360° C. (ppm)                                                                                       HC                                                     CO         NO.sub.x     Conversion                                      No.      at Inlet                                                                               at Outlet                                                                               at Inlet                                                                             at Outlet                                                                             Rate (%)                                ______________________________________                                         Example 32                                                                              460     260      479   355    70                                      Example 33                                                                              465     265      480   360    65                                      Example 34                                                                              463     265      475   358    65                                      Example 35                                                                              458     260      485   368    70                                      Example 36                                                                              462     265      480   365    70                                      Example 37                                                                              460     240      482   353    75                                      Example 38                                                                              462     240      475   355    80                                      Example 39                                                                              463     230      479   353    85                                      Example 40                                                                              463     240      482   360    85                                      Example 41                                                                              462     250      485   360    90                                      Example 42                                                                              460     280      480   355    84                                      Example 43                                                                              460     290      480   370    85                                      Example 44                                                                              465     300      480   360    80                                      Example 45                                                                              460     300      475   360    82                                      Example 46                                                                              460     300      482   340    88                                      Comparative                                                                             463     465      483   420    50                                      Example 11                                                                     Comparative                                                                             464     466      481   430    50                                      Example 12                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Each of the exhaust gas cleaners in Examples 32-46 showed a low ignition temperature of particulate matter, and those exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 42-46 having catalysts containing combinations of Cs, Cu, Ce, La and Ag have remarkably low ignition temperatures. In addition, at 360° C., the concentration of CO was reduced by about 35-50%, and the concentration of NO_(x) was reduced by about 25%, showing that particulate matter, CO and NO_(x) were simultaneously removed. Further, the conversion rate of the remaining hydrocarbons was also high.

With respect to the removal of CO, the exhaust gas cleaners having no platinum-group element supported in the thin layer portions (Comparative Examples 11 and 12) showed substantially no CO-removing capacity. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaners having platinum-group elements supported on the high-density, thin layer portion showed a high CO-removing capacity. In addition, when these exhaust gas cleaners were used, substantially no SO₃ was generated.

Further, when the exhaust gas cleaners have the platinum group elements deposited on the high-density, thin layer portion by light irradiation, the HC conversion rate became substantially higher than those having platinum-group elements deposited by other methods (HC conversion rate was 65-70% in Examples 32-36, and 75-90% in Examples 37-46).

EXAMPLE 47

The same ceramic foam filter as in Example 1 m was coated with γ-alumina powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam, and the γ-alumina powder was impregnated with 10 weight % of Cu by using a CuCl₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of Cs by using a CsNO₃ aqueous solution. The filter impregnated with the above catalyst was dried at 150° C. and burned at 700° C. for 3 hours. The resulting exhaust gas cleaner is as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs: Example 47).

With its low-density portion on the inlet side and with its high-density, thin layer portion on the outlet side, this exhaust gas cleaner was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 1. Incidentally, the concentrations of NO_(x) and oxygen in the exhaust gas were 480 ppm and 5%, respectively.

The ignition temperature of particulate matter is shown in Table 11, and the variation in concentration of NO_(x) is shown in Table 12.

EXAMPLES 48-51

In the same manner as in Example 47, each of four ceramic foam filters was coated with titania powder in an amount of 10 weight % based on the ceramic foam filter, and then impregnated with 10 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of La by using an LaCl₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of Cs by using a CsNO₃ aqueous solution (Example 48); with 10 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of La by using an LaCl₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution and 2.5 weight % of Cs by using a Cs₂ CO₃ aqueous solution (Example 49); with 10 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Ce by using a Ce(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Cs by using a CsNO₃ aqueous solution and 0.5 weight % of Ag by using an AgNO₃ aqueous solution (Example 50); or with 10 weight % of Cu by using a Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of La by using an LaCl₃ aqueous solution, 2.5 weight % of Cs by using a CsNO₃ aqueous solution and 0.5 weight % of Ag by using an AgNO₃ aqueous solution (Example 51). Thus, the following exhaust gas cleaners were produced:

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs: Example 48),

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Ce/Cs: Example 49),

(TiO₂ /Cu/Ce/Cs/Ag: Example 50), and

(TiO₂ /Cu/La/Cs/Ag: Example 51).

These exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 48-51 were evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and exhaust gas cleaning capacity in the same manner as in Example 47. The results are shown in Tables 11 and 12.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 13

For comparison, a ceramic honeycomb filter (apparent volume: 1.6 l) was produced, and provided with a catalyst in the same manner as in Example 47. The resulting filter is as follows:

(Al₂ O₃ /Cu/Ce/Cs: Comparative Example 13).

It was evaluated with respect to ignition temperature of particulate matter and variation in concentration of NO_(x). The results are shown in Table 12.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         No.           Ignition Temp. (°C.)                                      ______________________________________                                         Example 47    275                                                              Example 48    270                                                              Example 49    260                                                              Example 50    260                                                              Example 51    250                                                              Comparative   340                                                              Example 13                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                                     Concentration of NO.sub.x                                                      at 300° C. (ppm)                                            No.           at Inlet (ppm)                                                                            at Outlet (ppm)                                       ______________________________________                                         Example 47    479        374                                                   Example 48    480        360                                                   Example 49    475        351                                                   Example 50    485        344                                                   Example 51    480        331                                                   Comparative   483        450                                                   Example 13                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Each of the exhaust gas cleaners in Examples 47-51 showed a low ignition temperature of particulate matter, and the conversion ratio of NO_(x) at 300° C. was about 20%, showing that particulate matter and NO_(x) were simultaneously removed. The comparison with Comparative Example 13 shows that the ceramic foam filter having a large surface area is effective to lower the ignition temperature of particulate matter.

In addition, when these exhaust gas cleaners were used, substantially no SO₃ was generated.

By using the exhaust gas cleaner according to the present invention, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, CO and NO_(x) can be removed from the exhaust gas at a high efficiency. Such exhaust gas cleaners are effective for cleaning an exhaust gas containing a large concentration of oxygen and particulate matter such as those of diesel engines. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous ceramic foam filter as a carrier, said filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of said low density portion, said low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, and (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and said high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst.
 2. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of said filter, and said high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of said filter.
 3. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of said filter, and said low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of said filter.
 4. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said high-density, thin layer portion further supports gold or silver.
 5. An exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous ceramic foam filter as a carrier, said filter being constituted by portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of said low density portion, said low-density portion supporting a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one of alkali metal elements, (b) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of elements in IIA group of the Periodic Table, transition elements (excluding platinum-group elements) and Sn, and (c) at least one of rare earth elements; and said high-density, thin layer portion supporting a platinum-group element catalyst.
 6. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of said filter, and said high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of said filter.
 7. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of said filter, and said low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of said filter.
 8. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said high-density, thin layer portion further supports gold or silver.
 9. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 5, wherein Cs, Cu and at least one of Ce and La are supported by said low-density portion, and the platinum-group element catalyst is supported by said high-density, thin layer portion.
 10. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 5, wherein silver is further supported by said low-density portion.
 11. An exhaust gas cleaner having a heat-resistant, porous ceramic foam filter as a carrier, said filter being constituted by two portions consisting of a portion having a relatively low density and a high-density, thin layer portion formed on one side of said low density portion, wherein said low-density portion is located on the exhaust gas inlet side of said filter, and said high-density, thin layer portion is located on the exhaust gas outlet side of said filter, a catalyst consisting essentially of Cs, Cu and at least one of Ce and La being supported by the overall body of said filter.
 12. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 11, wherein said filter further supports silver. 